Important Mission Trip/Training Retreat Documents:

• Missed School Letter: For May 3rd since students will be meeting at the church at 11am - click here
• Team Building Retreat Waiver for Camp: (Please complete by 9pm tonight April 30, 2024) - click here
• Diet Request Form: (Please complete by 9pm tonight April 30, 2024) - click here

• The weather real feel temperatures for this weekend are. Friday- sunny and cloudy high of 68, low of 50. Saturday- cloudy with a couple of showers, high of 62, low of 45. Sunday- sunny, high of 76, low of 54.
• Bag lunch for Fri
• Sleeping bag & a pillow. Or sheets, blankets, & a pillow.
• Towel/ toothbrush/ toiletries
• Old clothes (you WILL get dirty)
• T-Shirt, long sleeve shirt, shorts, jeans, sweatpants, etc
• Warm sweatshirt & jacket
• Lightweight gloves & hat
• Two pairs of sneakers
• Bible & pen
• Rain poncho/gear (It may rain) 
• GUYS- Bottle of Gatorade/Iced-Tea etc. for your team
• GIRLS- Bag of snacks for your team

• ANYTHING ELECTRONIC (yes that means cell phones- they’ll be taken away, ipods, ipads, video games etc. you know the deal!)  Don’t make us have to police this!

A letter from Pastor Mike & Manny
Dear Parents and Students,

As I am sure you are aware, the 2024 Mandatory Missions Team Building Training Retreat is this weekend! We are excited to have you on the team this year! This email is to give you a bit of information as you prepare for it. First of all, please remember to meet here at church this Friday, May 3 at 11am (this time was also in your Info Folder under Schedule), and be sure to pack a lunch for our trip. We will be eating dinner at the retreat center and it's included at no additional cost to you. As noted in the Info. Folder, this retreat is of supreme importance to be on, and goes a long way in building team unity, as well as growing in your relationship with Christ. That is one of the reasons why we make this retreat mandatory for our Missions Team members. 

Parents
Please be praying for us over the weekend. Pray for great weather, safety, for team unity, your teen’s spiritual growth, and for our leadership team. We will be staying at Pocono Plateau Camp & Retreat Center in Cresco, PA. Their phone # is (570) 676-3665, and my cell # is (516) 660-1412 (emergencies only).

As always, we will not be allowing cell phones (or any other electronic device) on this weekend, as it really does distract and deter from the time away and focus of the trip.  I ask you to partner with me in making sure your son/daughter does not bring their cell phones with them (or ipods, ipads etc.)  We will end up taking it away if they do and give it back to them at the end of the weekend, not any earlier. Believe it or not, most students find a welcome break from technology by the end of the weekend. I understand you might feel the need to get a hold of them, but no news is good news. I will obviously call you if there is an issue to be addressed, and if you have an urgent matter, call my cell phone and we can go from there.

Students
Please see the packing list below for what to and what not to bring.  Remember to come with an open and positive attitude, because when you do, you allow God to work in you and others.  Get ready to be CHALLENGED!  Also, be sure to get a decent night’s sleep Thursday night since you will be tired by the end of the weekend.  I can’t wait to see you Friday at 11am here at church.

If you have any questions or would like to share something with me feel free to email me back.

God bless,
Michael Mahlstedt (Student & Family Pastor), Manny Fernandez (Student Ministry Director) and the 2024 Missions Leadership Team